Automatic fishing device



Jan, 17, 1950 T. 1 FiNLEY 2,494,800

AUTOMATIC FISHING DEVICE Filed June 9, 1945 2 sheets-sheet l f/I/ F 50k l gf] @VZW/ ff Jan. 17, 1950 T. L.. FINLEY 294949800 AUTOMATIC FISHING DEVICE Filed June 9, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 17, 1950 iS TATEI'S PAT EN T OFFICE AUTOMATIC FISHING DEVICE "IilbertL, Finley, Bonham, Tex.

Application VJune 9, 1945 SerialNo. 598,602

(Cl. 4B-15) "7 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful im,- provements `in automatic .fishing devices.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved device which may be attached to a ,relativelystationary support having means for holding a shing pcie and being provided with tripping and swinging means, whereby the :fishing pole isswung upward to pull the line when a Fish strikes the hook.

A ,particular .object of the invention is to pro- Vide `anjmproved device which when tripped will exert a 'steady and rapid pull on the fishing line, butatthe `same time will cushion or modulate the swinging action, whereby the operation will `be smooth and the shock resulting from the spring 'force will "be largely` absorbed.

Another` object of the .invention is to provide an improved device having means whereby an .ordinary ,fishing pole maybe .secured thereto .and released therefrom in a `simple and expeditious manner.

:Still another object of the .invention is to provde an 'improved fishing ,pole device which may "be set or cocked at various angles, nthe .amplitudes oi `which are .not limited `by latches` and/ or notches. A

A .further object oi the invention is to provide ,an improved device which iss'imple and substantial lin structure and whichevoids the use of hooks and :latches and the like, .but employs a spring actuated plunger anda cushioningrcyl-inder with a friction retainer'` coacting with `the plunger to hold the device in set positions ,and to quickly` release itor iree action.

A construction designed to carry .out the invention will be .hereinafter described together with other features Aofthe invention.

The invention will be `.more read-ily .understood from a reading of 'the Iollowingspecicat'ion and by reference to the `accompanying drawings, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of` anautomatic iishingdevice constructed in accordance `with the invention, mounted on `thegunwale of aboatand in an upright position,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same,

Fig. 3 a `partial view of the device, partly in 4elevation and `partly! in section,

Fig. 4 is `a transverse 'sectional'view of Athe de- `vice in one-of its 'fishing positions,

Fig. A5 is ya side elevation `of the same, 'and Fig. 6 is a `partial Aeleva-tion showing the friction `retainer;

.In 4the drawings, 1the numeral 1N) designates an upright channel-shaped bracket or standard, which is provided along each side withoutwardly directed longitudinal anges H. This bracket may be made oi sheet metal, or any suitable material, and is provided `at its central portion with vertically spacedkeyhole slots l2-spaced vertical-ly `from its lower end upwardly, so as to be `engaged over the heads of -bolts I3 on the inner face of the combing A of the gunwale B oi a boat or `any other suitable supporting portion thereof. It is to be understood `that the mounting of the bracket is not limited to a boat, but could lbe effected on ,any suitable support on` a iishing pier, Va raft, or other .structures suitable for the purpose. By 'the use of keyhole slots, `the bracket may be readily placed and removed.

A fulcrum rod 1.3 extends transversely `across the lower .end of the bracket, and is mounted to rock in the iianges I I. The-medial `portionoi the rod is curved so as to be suitably secured to the lower end oi a cushioning or checking cylinder M, which has a plug 15in its lower end provided with a small screw I6 for regulating the `passage .of air similar to an ordinary door check. The

rod may pass through `the rear side of the cylinder just .above the plug, and thus provides a Jfulcrum or hinge whereby the cylinder may 'be swung outwardly, as shown in Figs. 4 and '5. `Within the cylinder is an ordinary plunger head `I"| mounted on the lower `end of a plunger rod |'B which has a snug sliding fit in a cap 19 countersunk in the upper end of the cylinder in any suitable manner.

A generally U-,s'haped saddle 26 is mounted on pivots 21 at the upper. ends oi the `flanges "ll. The atsides or wings 22 of the saddle straddle or override the flanges Il so as to extend outwardly therefrom and Athe metal from the saddle is bent inwardly along the outer vertical edges o'f the saddle to form an inwardly directed lf-shaped trough or seat 2.3. The pivots V2j are disposed nearer the upper ends of the wings so as to give to the lower `portion of the saddle the necessary outward swing and leverage.

The function of the saddle .is to receive and hold the fishing pole C, and the saddle is provided with a transverse outwardly directed bottom vplate .24 for receiving the butt end oi the pole. The plate terminates short of 'the inner vertical margins of the wings oi `the saddle .so as to permit said wings to straddle the anges when the saddle is swung to an upright position. .An arcuate yoke or retainer 25 'hasfits ends journaled in lapertures 26 in the wings. The inner end of the iishing pole is engaged "under thisyoke, `the 3 curvature of which is ample to accommodate poles of various diameters. A similar yoke 21 is journaled in apertures 28 near the upper ends of the wings to cooperate with the yoke in retaining the pole.

The left hand end of the yoke 21 (Figs. 1 and 2) is bent to form a hook 29, and the upper end of a coiled spring 3U is engaged on this hook, while its lower end is engaged over a downturned hook 3I formed on the end of a transverse rod 32 journaled in the flanges II below the wings 22. The opposite or right hand end of the rod 32 is bent downwardly to form a second hook 33 on which the lower end of a coiled spring 34 is engaged. The upper end of the spring 34 is engaged in a loop 35 formed on the right hand end of the yoke 21 outside of the adjacent iiange II, the outer leg of which loop is bent upwardly to form a handle 3B. It will be observed that the curved medial portion of the yoke 21 is bent upwardly and the hook 29, as well as the loop 35, inclined downwardly as shown in Fig. 2, which, together with the rearward and downward inclination of the springs, causes the yoke to rock and thus frictionally engage the fishing pole and retain it in the saddle.

Elongate coiled springs 31 and 38, respectively, have their lower ends engaged over hooks 39 formed on the outer end of the rod i3. The upper end of the spring 31 is engaged over a stud 40 secured in the lower central portion of the left hand wing of the saddle (Figs. l and 3), whereby said spring is given an outward and upward inclination when the saddle is in its vertical position. The spring 38 has its upper end engaged in a loop 4I formed on the outer end of the yoke 25, and the outer leg of this loop is bent upwardly to form a handle 42. It will be observed that the yoke 25 is curved downwardly, and therefore the spring 38 acts to hold the yoke in frictional engagement with the butt end of the fishing pole C. By swinging the handles 3G and 4Z, the yokes may be swung for inserting and removing the fishing pole.

The springs 31 and 38 also have the function of retrieving the iishing pole by swinging the saddle to an upright position. The upper end of the plunger rod I8 has a cross pin 5G secured therein with its ends journaled in ears 43, the rod being between the ears which are on the under side of the plate 24; consequently, when the saddle is swung to cock or set the retriever, the plunger I8 is pulled upwardly, and the cylinder I4 is swung outwardly as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. This places the springs 31 and 3S under tension, so as to swing the elements to their upright positions when the device is released. The fishing pole C, having been inserted in the saddle, may be used as a lever in swinging the saddle outwardly.

A very important feature of the invention resides in the means for retaining the device in cocked position, and this means includes an ordinary disk or washer 43', which surrounds the plunger rod I8, and rests upon the top of the cylinder I4. The upper portion of the rod I8 is reduced in diameter as is indicated at I8. This permits the washer to be freely canted when the device is in an upright position. For operating the washer, a tripping lever 44 is provided. This lever, which extends upwardly beyond the saddle, has an eye 45 at its upper end to which the shing line may be attached The lower end of the lever is bent inwardly at substantially righi', angles and provided with a coil 46 at its lower end mounted on a small screw 41 in the upper CII end of the barrel. This coil is formed with an upstanding loop or bill 48 which engages under the washer so as to cant the latter when swung to an upright position. The members I3, 25, 21, 32, and the lever 44, may be made of heavy wire, and thus easily bent to the desired positions. As is shown in Fig. l, it is desirable to form the lever so that when the loop 48 is in an upright position, the lever will be inclined slightly inwardly or rearwardly with relation to the forward extension of the fishing pole, and in order to assure such position, a stop screw 49 mounted in the upper end of the cylinder is engaged by the loop. When the device is released by pulling the lever outwardly or forwardly, the loop is swung away from the stop screw and also the washer 43 is permitted to drop to a horizontal position, and thereby release the plunger rod.

In using the device, it is mounted on a suitable support, such as the combing A, in a released or upright position, as shown in Fig. l. The lever 36 is swung downwardly so as to permit the end of the iishing pole to be passed under the yoke '2i and slid down the trough 23. The lever 42 is then swung to swing the yoke 25, whereby the butt end of the pole may be passed under this yoke and brought into engagement with the plate 24.

The fishing line, which has been passed through the eye (not shown) on the outer end of the iishing pole, is then secured to the loop 45. If desired, the end of the line may be carried beyond the eye 45 and tied to a suitable fastening on the boat or other structure, suiiicient slack being f given to permit free operation. This would prevent a large iish from running off with the line, even though the lever 44 might be bent or broken. However, usually, it will be suiiicient to merely attach the fishing line to the eye of the lever.`

The fisherman then grasps the pole C and swings it outwardly and downwardly to the angle at which he desires to lish. In setting or cooking the device, the sherman uses one hand with which to swing the pole outwardly, and with his other hand, swings the lever 44 inwardly or rearwardly so as to cant the washer 43 and maintain it in position. The reduced portion I8' of the plunger rod I8 permits the washer to be freely moved to its canting position. As the cylinder I4 is swung outwardly, the plunger rod I8v will be pulled upwardly in the cylinder by the swinging saddle 22. This will cause that portion of the rod I8 having the larger diameter to pass through the washer, which, while fitting loosely enough to permit the passage of the rod without tilting upwardly, at the same time will take friction bite or grip on the rod when canted and the outward swinging movement of the saddle is stopped. From the foregoing, it will be seen that the iishing rod C may be adjusted to any desired angle, because the washer 43 will frictionally engage the rod I8 at any point below the portion I8', and thereby fasten the retriever in its adjusted position. When the saddle is swung, the cylinder I4 is also swung, and the tension of the springs 31 and 38 is considerably increased. The device will remain in this position until a iish strikes the hook and pulls the fishing line, whereby the lever 44 will be pulled forward. When the lever 44 is pulled forwardly and outwardly, the loop 48 is swung down and the washer 43 is thus released, and will fall to a horizontal position, due to its loose fit on the rod I 8. Simultaneously, the springs 31 and 38 will swing the saddle and cylinder toan upright position, thus swinging the iishing pole and making the catch. When the device is set or cocked, the plunger head I1 is pulled upwardly in the cylinder I4, and consequently, when the device is tripped, and the springs 31 and 38 return it to its upright position, the plunger head will be forced downwardly into the cylinder, and its downward movement checked, because the screw I6, which is loosely threaded in the plug I5, will restrict the escape of air. This screw may be adjusted to regulate the cushioning action and it is obvious that the swing may be relatively slow, or very rapid, according to the adjustment. Even where the retrieving swing is very rapid, the cushioning action will absorb a large amount of the recoil, and thus reduce the whipping action which would otherwise be imparted to the fishing pole. The screw I6 may be adjusted so that the speed at which the fishing pole swings upwardly is gradually reduced toward the end of the upward swing, owing to the compression of air in the cylinder as the plunger head I1 approaches the bottom thereof. The member 20 may be referred to as a saddle or a retainer or a "spring impelled actuator. The washer 43', lever 44, coil 46 and bill 48 may be referred to as a tripping means.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic fishing device including, a bracket adapted to be mounted on a support, a saddle pivoted on the bracket having means for mounting a fishing pole thereon, a cushioning cylinder pivoted to the bracket and having a plunger pivoted to the saddle, spring means connected to the saddle and the bracket, and a retaining and releasing device engaging the plunger and having a tripping lever.

2. As a combination in an automatic fishing device, a spring impelled plunger, a washer loosely surrounding said plunger, and means including a lever for canting said washer to frictionally hold the plunger in adjusted positions.

3. An automatic fishing device including, a bracket adapted to be mounted in an upright position on `a support, a saddle pivoted on the upper portion of said bracket adapted to receive and hold a fishing pole, a cushioning cylinder pivoted to the bracket below the saddle, a plunger in the cylinder having a rod extending upwardly and pivoted to the saddle, a coiled spring connecting the saddle with the bracket therebelow, a lever pivoted to the cylinder having tripping means and means for attachment of a fishing line, and retaining means engageable by the lever tripping means for frictionally engaging the plunger rod.

4. An automatic shing device including, a bracket adapted to be mounted in an upright position on a support, a saddle pivoted on the upper portion of said bracket adapted to receive and hold a fishing pole, a cushioning cylinder pivoted to the bracket below the saddle, a plunger in the cylinder having a rod extending upwardly and pivoted to the saddle, a coiled spring connecting the saddle with the bracket therebelow, a lever pivoted to the cylinder and having means for attachment of a iishing line, a washer loosely surrounding the plunger rod, and a projection on the lever engaging under the washer for canting it to frictionally retain the rod in adjusted positions.

5. An automatic shing device including, a supporting member, a shing pole retainer pvoted on the support, spring operating means pivoted to the supporting member and to the retainer for swinging the retainer to an upright position, friction tripping means for holding the retainer in an adjusted angular position, cushioning means carried by the support and connected to the retainer coacting with the tripping means, and means for regulating the cushioning means to vary the rapidity with which the retainer is swung to an upright position.

6. An' automatic fishing device including, a bracket adapted to be mounted on a support, a saddle pivoted on the upper portion of the bracket having means for mounting a fishing pole thereon, spring impelled means including a cushioning cylinder pivotally connecting the saddle with the lower portion of the bracket, and friction tripping means coacting with the spring means for holding the spring means in a cocked position and having a releasing lever.

7. An automatic iishing device including a supporting member, a fishing pole retainer pivoted on the supporting member, spring operating means pivotally connected to the supporting member and to the retainer, friction tripping means for holding the retainer and the spring means in adjusted position, and a cushioning device connected with the supporting member and the retainer for absorbing the recoil of the spring impelled means.

TILBERT L. FINLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record .in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Dlate 279,988 Smith June 26, 1883 562,195 Plath June 16, 1896 693,071 Rudd Feb. 11, 1902 804,510 Vaughn Nov. 14, 1905 832,171 Sheddan Oct. 2, 1906 836,303 Christensen Nov. 20, 1906 874,721 Adams Dec. 24, 1907 1,192,112 Porter July 25, 1916 1,488,838 Savoie Apr. 1, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 7,759 Great Britain A. D. 1893 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,494,800 January' 17, 1950 TILBERT L. FINLEY It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requirmg correction as follows:

Column 5, line 44, for the Word "combinaton read sub-combination;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the Arecord of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of April, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gommssz'oner of Patents. 

